Several BBC Countryfile fans were left up in arms this past weekend when the weekly nature show aired on Sunday evening.
While usually exploring farming agricultural issues across Britain, this week’s episode had a very different tone.
On Sunday evening, Joe Crowley fronted the special episode centred on the Three Rivers Race, one Europe’s “toughest in-land sailing competitions”.
Crowley headed to the Horning Sailing Club ahead of the race before speaking with competitors throughout the day.
He provided history lessons on the iconic broads the sailors had to navigate through, while touching upon the nature surrounding them.
Crowley wasn’t alone as he called upon a number of his Countryfile co-stars to provide further context – but underwhelmed when revealing it was via archive footage.
Joe Crowley watched the boat race from the banks
BBC
Former Countryfile star Ellie Harrison, who quit the show last year, reappeared to provide information about the wildlife at the Norfolk Broads in a recording dated back to 2016.
Elsewhere, Anita Rani similarly explored the farmland around the Broads, but rather than new footage, her segment was recorded back in 2018.
Adam Henson chipped in albeit briefly with an appeal for viewers to nominate youngsters making a marked difference in improving the British countryside.
Matt Taylor was on hand to provide an up-to-date weather forecast while Crowley teased that in the next episode Charlotte Smith would be heading to East Yorkshire.
Matt Taylor was on hand to provide an up to date weather forecast
BBC
All in all, Crowley’s exploration of the rowing race and use of archive footage left plenty to be desired among those tuned in on Sunday night.
So much so, X, formerly Twitter, was awash with complaints as fans made their feelings known on the programme.
“What is happening to Countryfile?” one fan questioned. “Yet again featuring a subject that has nothing to do with farming and agricultural issues.
“I also don’t get why archive clips are needed with so many presenters to use #countryfile.”
A second echoed: “#countryfile Disappointed with this week’s not much Countryside this week.”
“#countryfile this is tedious,” a third surmised before a fourth even suggested: “#Countryfile should be shown monthly, as subject matter of interest is very scarce these days.”